Method of manufacturing flexible couplings



June 19, 1928 G. H. THOMAS METHOD OF MANUFACTURING FLEXIBLE COUPLINGS Filed Dec; 1, 1926 Patented June 19, 1928.

UNITED STATES ,onomn H. THOMAS, or Earn, rnNNsY LvANrA.

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING FLEXIBLE COUPLINGS.

Application filed December 1, 1926. Serial No. 151,941.

This invention relates to the manufacture of flexible couplings for shafts, and particularly to such couplings known as of the jaw type, and consists in a method of manufacture whereby couplings are produced with little of any machine work, and method of lubricating same.

The features of my invention will hereafter be pointed out and explained and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a jaw type of a shaft couplin Figure 2 is a li e view showing the coupling separated.

Figure 3 is a section of a mold for mold ing coupling members, on a line drawn between the structural parts E and G.

Figure 4 is a vertlcal central section of the same showing a coupling member in section therein.

Figure 5 is an end View of the complete mold.

Figure 6 is a transverse section of a flexible coupling showing method of lubricating the intermediate member of the coupling.

In these drawings A indicates the body members of a coupling, which are secured upon the ends of shafts B and B desired to be coupled. These body members are duplicates, and therefore, in this case require but one mold.

In carrying out my invention I prepare a mold consisting of two metallic portions C and C which are provided with ears 0 through which bolts 0 pass, by means of which the portions C and C of the mold can be securely clamped together, so that a mold cavity is formed within the walls of the mold of a conformation similar to the coupling body A shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A metallic core D, having an opening therethrough is placed in the central portion of the mold cavity, and a metallic cross-bar E is inset in the edge of the open end of the mold portions G and C which bar E serves as a core for the transverse slot between the shoulders w, a, on the coupling member A.

A bolt F extends centrally through the 50 mold portions 0 and C and through the metallic'core D, and through the crossbar E. A cover plate G is placed on the bolt F, and a washer f and nut f placed on the bolt F and the cover plate G securely clamped in place, and the nuts 0 on the bolts 0 are screwed up tight so that all parts of the mold are securely clamped together. The mold portions C and G are provided with duct portions H which fit together, when the mold portions are clamped together, and form a duct portion H, through which molten metal can be forced into the mold cavity, to cast a coupling member A.

In practicing my invention the mold shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 is prepared with a mold cavity for-casting shaft coupling members of the jaw type, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and I preferably use suitable metal such as Monel met-a1, or other metal suitable for die casting, which in a molten state I force into the mold cavity under pressure, so that all parts of the cavity are filled. By using a metallic die or mold the surface of the article will be smooth, and will not require any machine workto prepare it for assembly.

In Figure 6, I shown the square block, or intermediate member, of a shaft coupling which is adapted to fit between the shoulders a on the coupling member A. Adjacent to the corners of this block a are placed holes in-which I place blocks of graphite J which fit the openings loosely, so that as the coupling revolves said blocks of graphite will be forced outwardly by I centrifugal forceagainst the fiat faces of the shoulders (I), and thereby be maintained against the shoulders a whereby graphite is abraded from said graphite blocks as the two members A, A work past each other during the operation of the coupling, and in this manner maintain the two members A, A and the edges of the intermediate block member A sufficiently lubricatech Having thus fully shown and described my improved method of making coupling members of the jaw type so that others can utilize the same what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mold of the class described, a pair of metallic mold sections, means to secure said mold sections together, a transverse metallic mold bar, a central core within said mold, a plate to close said mold and means to clamp said plate in place.

2. In a metallic mold, a pair of mold sections including a channel for admission of molten metal, sectional cores within said mold sections, means to secure said mold sections together, a plate to close said mold, and means to secure said plate in place.

3. In a metallic mold, a pair of mold sec- 5 tions including a channel for admission of molten metal, means to secure said mold sec? tions together, a central metallic core, a

transverse core bar, a cover plate to (lose said mold, and a bolt through said mold, cores and cover plate whereby said cover plate and cores are secured in place.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature.

GEORGE H. THOMAS. 

